Syria | The Secretary’s Special Representative for Syria Engagement, Ambassador James Jeffrey, and Special Envoy for Syria, Joel Rayburn, Travel to Israel, Jordan, and Turkey

Syria – The Secretary’s newly appointed Special Representative for Syria Engagement, Ambassador James Jeffrey, will travel to Israel, Jordan, and Turkey, September 1–4. Ambassador Jeffrey will be accompanied by Near Eastern Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) and Special Envoy for Syria, Joel Rayburn.

Ambassador Jeffrey looks forward to meeting with key allies and partners on his first official trip abroad as Special Representative.

In Israel, Ambassador Jeffrey will meet with senior government officials to discuss our shared interest, in reference to Syria, in maintaining Israel’s security while countering Iran’s destabilizing activity throughout the region. They will also underscore that the United States will respond to any chemical weapons attack perpetrated by the Syrian regime.

In Jordan and Turkey, the Ambassador and DAS Rayburn will meet with Jordanian and Turkish leaders and other senior officials to reiterate the U.S. position that a military offensive in Idlib will escalate the crisis in Syria and the region, risk the lives of humanitarians and Syrian civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure. They will also commend Jordanian and Turkish leadership on their continued compassion for those affected by the Syrian conflict.

Throughout their trip, Ambassador Jeffrey and DAS Rayburn will also address Russia’s specious allegations of international plans to stage a chemical weapons attack in Syria.